Introduction to Packet

Packet radio is a particular digital mode of Amateur Radio (“Ham” Radio) communications which corresponds to computer telecommunications.

The telephone modem is replaced by a “magic” box called a terminal node controller (TNC); the telephone is replaced by an amateur radio transceiver, and the phone system is replaced by the “free” amateur radio waves.

Packet radio takes any data stream sent from a computer and sends that via radio to another amateur radio station similarly equipped.

Packet radio is so named because it sends the data in small bursts, or packets.

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